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Tompkins committee backs $53,000 to protect 130 acres in Newfield
Summary
The committee approved a $53,000 appropriation to the Finger Lakes Land Trust to protect about 130 acres of the Bergman parcel in Newfield, citing habitat connectivity and intermittent stream buffers as key conservation values.
The Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee voted Aug. 6 to appropriate $53,000 from the county's Natural Infrastructure Capital Program to support the Finger Lakes Land Trust's purchase and permanent protection of about 130 acres of the Bergman parcel in the town of Newfield.
"The land trust is requesting $53,000 to protect 130 acres of land," Abigail, the county manager for the natural infrastructure program, told the committee while introducing the project and its assessment against program guidelines. She noted the parcel contains intermittent streams with 50-foot buffers and lies within a high-habitat-connectivity focus area identified in the county conservation plan.
Members discussed whether projects that more directly affect Cayuga Lake watershed should be prioritized given constrained funds; staff said watershed location is not a strict program requirement but that criteria addressing water benefits had been added previously. Kate of the Finger Lakes Land Trust described the parcel's meadow-edge habitat and its proximity to Green Springs Natural Cemetery as reasons the property is ecologically valuable.
Adam moved the appropriation and Iris seconded; the chair reported the vote in favor and said the appropriation was unanimous. Committee members were also briefed on the Natural Infrastructure fund balance and other pipeline projects that could reduce the balance further if approved.
